Costa Smeralda

The 2019-built Costa Smeralda cruise ship is from the new Helios-class vessels ordered by Carnival Corporation. The ship order agreement with Meyer Werft was signed in July 2015 and included construction of all 4 new cruise ships. The contract was finalized in April 2016. Of these 4 vessels, 2 are for Costa Cruises and the other 2 for AIDA Cruises (Carnival's German brand). Other Excellence-Class liners (Costa Smeralda's sisterships) are Costa Toscana (2021), Carnival Mardi Gras (2021), Carnival Celebration (2022), P&O Iona (2020), P&O Arvia (2022), AIDAnova (2018), AIDAcosma (2021), AIDAtbn (2023).

History - construction and ownership

Costa Cruises is a Genoa-headquartered subsidiary company owned by Carnival Corporation. Costa is Europe's second-largest cruise line (after MSC) with year-round operations in the Mediterranean. Costa was founded in 1854 as a cargo shipping company. It started passenger shipping services in 1947, with regular Transatlantic crossings between Europe (Italy) and South America. In 2000, Costa Cruises was acquired by Carnival Corporation (shipowner).

The new Costa ships were scheduled for delivery in 2019 (Smeralda) and 2020 (Toscana). Costa's units were built in Turku Finland, AIDA's - in Papenburg Germany. Each vessel has a GT-tonnage 183,000 tons, 2600+ cabins, double-occupancy passenger capacity 5200 (max 6600), crew capacity around 700.

Ship's design features more efficient use of both indoor and open-deck spaces, with several multi-functional areas. Deck 16 is the activity deck with a water slide, water park, high rope garden, mini-golf. The pool deck is covered with a retractable glass roof. The Beach Club (adults only complex) is beneath the glass roof and features an activity area with 2 waterslides, rock climbing wall, sports deck area. This deck also has a giant LED wall for movies and other outdoor video entertainment. The ship has dedicated club lounges for teens and kids, including for toddlers.

Ship's panoramic glass elevators also connect the outdoor areas. There is a 45-m above water level located glass-bottomed skywalk, huge wellness complex (Organic Spa and Fitness), a plaza with numerous bars and shops, Atrium Lobby lounge (meeting place with a stage for street performers), large-capacity Theater (show lounge).

The new Costa and AIDA sisterships are industry's first fully LNG-powered cruise vessels, generating all of the onboard and propulsion power from LNG (abbrev Liquefied Natural Gas) - both in ports and at sea. With the new vessels, Costa Group had a fleet of 7 ships on order. This brand new fleet has a total capacity of 41,000 berths. In comparison, the combined Costa's fleet capacity is 110,000 berths.

The 4-vessel contract was part of a previously announced larger shipbuilding order with Fincantieri (Italy) and Meyer Werft for all 9 new vessels with scheduled deliveries between 2019 and 2022.

Managed by Costa Group, the Costa and AIDA combined fleet is Europe's largest. In 2014, one out of every two cruise ship tourists in Europe sailed on either AIDA or Costa ship. In 2015, Costa Group had 20 offices in 14 countries, around 27,000 shipboard employees and total passenger capacity of over 68,000 berths (across the combined fleet). Costa Group also is the leader of China's rapidly growing cruise market in Asia.

Besides ship's staff and crew, Costa cruise passengers are also served by Peper robots - the latest cyborg technology implemented fleetwide in 2016. These humanoid robots greet and guide passengers upon embarkation. They also assist them throughout the cruise by providing information and tips on onboard dining, entertainment, enrichment program (workshops, pre-scheduled events), casino and shopping promotions, shore excursions and tours. Pepper robots are mobile and communicate in 3 languages (English, German, Italian). They can also interpret human emotions by analyzing voice tones and facial expressions.

Cruise itinerary program

Costa Smeralda itinerary program is based on 7-day Western Mediterranean cruises leaving roundtrip from homeports Civitavecchia-Rome, Savona, Barcelona, Marseille, La Spezia (Italy) and Palma de Mallorca (Majorca, Spain). To be able to handle the large cruise liner, Port Savona's terminal had to be modified.

The 7-day itinerary program was planned to start on October 20, 2020 (inaugural cruise) but was rescheduled for the period December 21 (2019) through May 16 (2020). The cruise liner leaves roundtrip out of Savona (departures on Saturdays), Marseille (on Sundays), Barcelona (on Mondays), Palma de Mallorca (on Tuesdays), Civitavecchia-Rome (on Thursdays) and La Spezia (on Fridays).

In the period December 3, 2020, and February 21, 2021, Costa scheduled for the Smeralda ship 7-day itineraries exclusively dedicated to Italy (passenger sourcing and call ports). The week-long voyages were planned as B2Bs (back-to-back itineraries) and optionally divided into two short cruises (3-day and 4-day) both departing from homeport Civitavecchia-Rome.

• The 4-day itinerary visits Civitavecchia (Sundays), Naples (Mondays), Messina Sicily (Tuesdays), Cagliari (Wednesdays).
• The 3-day itinerary visits Civitavecchia (Thursdays), La Spezia (Fridays), Savona (Saturdays).
• The 7-day voyages were available for booking with departures from all ports in the itinerary.

Eventually, Smeralda had this itinerary program between March 27 and May 1, 2021. From May 1, the liner restarted the regular 7-day Western Mediterranean itineraries visiting Italy (Savona, Civitavecchia, Palermo Sicily), France (Marseille) and Spain (Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca).

Cabins

Costa Smeralda staterooms (2612 total) were designed by Dordoni Architetti and decorated depending on deck/city theme. For all passenger cabins were contracted Italian companies to provide their furniture (Molteni&C, Roda), matrasses (Dorelan), lighting (Flos), fabrics and upholstery (Dedar Milano, Rubelli). Among the Italian suppliers are also the brands Kartell (tables, chairs, furnishing accessories), Poltrona Frau (leather sofas, chairs, armchairs, tables, side tables), Alessi (kitchen accessories).

All passenger cabins offer as standard amenities sleeping area (twin beds convertible to Queen-size, bedside tables, reading lamps), lounge/living area (sofa bed, ottoman seat/couch, low/coffee table, mirrored vanity table/desk with chair, sliding wardrobe/closet with drawers and hangers), smart HDTV (infotainment system, satellite reception, Internet, on-demand movies), direct-dial phone, electronic safe box (in the closet), hairdryer, en-suite bathroom (WC, shower cubicle), mini-bar/fridge, individual air-conditioning, complimentary 24-hour room service, complimentary in-cabin Continental breakfast. Most staterooms are equipped with single/double sofa bed or Pullman/bunk beds for 3rd/4th person.

The largest are category GS-Grand Suites (350 ft2 / 33 m2 plus 100 ft2 / 9 m2 terrace), each with dressing room, large bathroom (whirlpool bathtub, shower, WC/bidet), larger living area sectional double sofabed). Standard Suites are smaller-sized (290 ft2 / 27 m2 plus 55 ft2 / 5 m2 balcony). Terrace Suite (a new for Costa cabin category) are 205 ft2 / 19 m2 with a large-sized (8 m2) step-out balcony.

The boat has 20 decks of which 16 are passenger-accessible and 11 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Dining onboard Costa Smeralda includes 16 different options, 18 bar venues, 4 main dining room restaurants /MDRs (Arleccchino, Il Meneghino, Il Rugantino, La Colombina), 2 buffet-style eateries, 5 food courts. Ship's 3 specialty restaurants (at extra charge) are Pizzeria Pummid'oro (Italian-style), Teppanyaki (Japanese food) and Laboratorio Del Gusto (where passengers can create their own food). Costa Club Perla Diamante level (loyalty program members) enjoy complimentary the exclusive Bellavista Restaurant, while Suite passengers can dine at their exclusive Panorama Restaurant.

Follows the complete list of Costa Smeralda restaurants and food bars.

• Main Restaurants (waiter-served) include Arleccchino, Il Meneghino, Il Rugantino, and La Colombina.
• Teppanyaki Restaurant (at extra cost) is decorated in an Oriental style. Here can be ordered Japanese seafood specialties (sushi, sashimi, etc). Restaurant's tables are arranged around a large cooking table where the chefs prepare each meal at a time.
• Buffet / Self-Service Restaurant (Ristorante Buffet La Sagra dei Sapori) offers light snacks and full lunches, as well as quick dinner meals. La Sagra dei Sapori Restaurant provides scenic ocean views and menus including a variety of dishes (vegetarian, salads, fish, meat, pasta), delicious desserts and kids-menu options.
• Classic Restaurant (MDR) offers typical Italian or international freshly-prepared breakfasts. At dinner are offered some of the best-known Italian dishes, including cappelletti with braised meat, fillet of beef alla Rossini, Sardinian fregola with fresh vegetables, plus gourmet dishes from the seaports along the cruise itinerary. The most popular Italian dishes are at extra charge - like Cotoletta (veal breaded cutlet) or onboard-made Mozzarella (cheese from buffalo milk).
• Ristorante Tutti a Tavola is a family restaurant with live entertainment and fun activities.
• Pizzeria Pummid'oro's menu has 14 pizzas (by the slice) - from Margherita, Four Seasons, Calzone, and Napoli, to the gourmet cheese focaccia from Liguria, plus excellent draft beers and wines (by the glass) and a selection of desserts. Pizzeria's food is prepared with simple and natural ingredients, including extra virgin olive oil and fresh-made mozzarella cheese.
• Laboratorio Del Gusto (Taste Lab Restaurant) offers various made-your-own dinner options.
• The Salty Beach Street Food
• Bellavista is an exclusive restaurant for Costa Club Perla Diamante level passengers.
• Panorama is an exclusive suite-only restaurant.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Costa Smeralda ship's entertainment options include Liquid Entertainment (live music, dancing, thrilling shows and other live performances at venues like Colosseum and Piazza Trastevere (bow-located). Piazza Grande Bellezza is a midship-located amphitheater/show lounge for live performances, while Piazza Ravello is an open space with a bar lounge area (with live music and served by Spritz Bar). Live entertainment (DJs and pianists) can be also found throughout the restaurants. Fun street performances are held in several public areas. Ship's best spots for evening entertainment are Casino Laguna (gaming lounge with bar) and Quelli Della Notte (piano bar).

Ship's wellness complex includes a large Fitness Center/Gym, and the Samsara Spa (beauty salon, thalassotherapy pool, sauna, salt room, snow room, relaxation room, Turkish Bath/hammam, treatment rooms for massages). The cruise liner Smeralda has 4 swimming pools - La Spiaggia (central/glass roof covered), Settimo Cielo (outside, with a swimming lane) plus 2 for kids. Children also benefit from the Aqua Park and La Sala Giochi (teens-only interactive game room). Younger children can play at Luna Park. The CoDe Museum on Costa Smeralda is fleet's first Italian design-themed museum. The Trastevere (deck 8 forward) is a Mediterranean marketplace-style complex lined up with shops and bars (also representing the premium brands Ferrari, Illy, Campari).

Follows the complete list of Costa Smeralda lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids (Mini Club for children under 3 yo), teens, and adults.

• Teatro Sanremo (Theater Lounge, Grand Theatre) is offered a different Broadway-style show production each night, with professional performances by national and international artists (singers, dancers, acrobats, magicians, stand-up comedians). Talent shows allow passengers to become a star performing on stage.
• Liquid Entertainment programming features live music and shows, dancing and other performances at the Colosseum and Piazza Trastevere. Colosseo is a 3-deck-high, midship-located show lounge (on 3 levels) featuring large LED screens mounted on its walls and dome. The large screens display also ship's current cruise itinerary (as call ports and land tours) via themed videos.
• Piazza Grande Bellezza (amphitheater)
• Piazza Ravello (open space with a bar lounge area, live music, Spritz Bar)
• CoDe Museum showcases the best of the Italian design companies.
• Amarillo Ice Cream Shop & Chocolate Bar uses Agrimontana-based flavorings to prepare creamy Italian gelato (frozen desserts) and Italian confectionery made from Gobino chocolate and Biasetto (pastry shop) sweets.
• At the Teen Club (ages 12 to 17) teenagers are divided into 2 age groups - Teen Club Junior (12-14-year-olds) and Teen Club (15-17-year-olds). Among the most popular events are sports tournaments, disco and game competitions, themed dinners, open-deck pool parties, dance and music classes.
• The Beach Club (adults-only complex) is beneath the glass roof and has an activity area with 2 waterslides, rock climbing wall, sports deck area and outdoor theater with a giant LED wall for movies and other media).
• La Sala Giochi is an interactive game room for teens.
• Luna Park is an outdoor playground for kids.
• Aqua Park Smeralda (outdoor park with water slides)
• Ship's 4 swimming pools are named La Spiaggia (midship, glass roof covered), Settimo Cielo (with a swimming lane, and is served by Bar Settimo Cielo / Seventh Heaven Bar), plus 2 kids pools.
• Sun Deck Private 19 is an adults-only sundeck area with swimming pools and jacuzzi.
• Passeggiata Volare (Fly Walk) is a Skywalk - glass-bottomed walkway located 65 m / 213 ft above sea level
• Campo da Gioco (Sports Court) is an outdoor playground for playing basketball/volleyball.
• Palestra Virtus (Gymnasium / Fitness Center) is fitted with the latest Technogym equipment.
• Centro Benessere Samsara (SPA & Massage) is ship's wellness complex consisting of Venus Beauty Salon, thalassotherapy pool, sauna room, 16 treatment rooms (thermal massage, stone massage, Lime & Ginger massage).
• Trastevere is deck 8's bow-located marketplace-like string of shops and bars. Shopping options also include Costa Boutique (branded merchandise) and Shop II Mercatino.
• Photo Shop, Area Foto (Photo Gallery and Shop)
• Lungomare Riviera (Promenade Deck)
• Piazza di Spagna
• Nutella Cafe
• Aperol Spritz Bar
• Quelli Della Notte (Piano Bar / Jazz Club)
• II cielo in una stanza (Piano Bar)
• Grand Bar Mastroianni
• Terazza e Bar Superba (outdoor bar lounge)
• Bar Orizzonte (Horizon Bar)
• Spazio Bollicine
• Bar II mattino
• Bar II Sole
• II Bacaro
• La Vetta
• Bar Maranello
• Bar La Cascata
• Casino & Bar Laguna, Disco Nightclub (Virtual Band music, Silent Party/headphones provided)

On September 6, 2017, was the vessel's steel-cutting ceremony held at Meyer Turku shipyard in Perno Finland. The Smeralda ship was scheduled for delivery in October 2019, with sistership Costa Toscana following in 2021. Vessel's max draught is 8,6 m (28 ft). Its service/cruising speed is 17 knots (32 kph / 20 mph).

In February 2018, the shipbuilder Meyer Turku contracted ALMACO Group to supply the liner's galley equipment. This deal was the company's first contract with Costa Cruises and also its largest cruise ship galley equipment order. ALMACO Group is a full-service provider of marine vessel cabins (passengers and crew living quarters), wet units, galleys (kitchens), provision stores.

On July 4, 2018, at Meyer Turku was held the traditional coin ceremony, during which commemorative coins were positioned along the keel for good fortune. Ceremony's godmother was Elisabetta Moraci (28-year-old, serving Costa Cruises as Second Deck Officer). Ship's launch ceremony (float-out from drydock) was on March 15, 2019, attended by Neil Palomba (Costa Cruises President) and Jan Meyer (Meyer Turku's CEO). The christening ceremony was scheduled for October 22, 2019, to be held in Port Rotterdam (Holland). In November 16-23, 2019, the vessel successfully passed sea trials.

Liner's namesakes are the ferry ship Cruise Smeralda (1997, GRIMALDI LINES) and MV Esmeralda (1979-built riverboat). Cruise ship's decks are named after famous Italian cities - from Palermo (deck 4) to Trieste (deck 20), The "social heart" of the liner is "Colosseo" - midship show lounge (on 3 levels) featuring large LED screens on its walls and dome. Also new for the fleet is Costa Design Museum - sized 400 m2 and curated by Matteo Vercelloni (Italian designer and architect).

The cruise ship is named after Costa Smeralda (translated "Emerald Coast") which is an approx 20 km (12 mi) long coastal area in northern Sardinia Island (Italy). The scenic coast is lined up with white-sand beaches, premium golf courses, top-luxury hotels, large yacht marinas, private jet and helicopter services. As a vacation destination, Sardinia's Costa Smeralda attracts mainly affluent tourists, including many celebrities. As a residential location, Costa Smeralda is currently ranked Europe's most expensive, with house prices up to EUR 300,000+ per m2 - or USD 4+ million for a 100 m2 (1076 ft2) house property. The largest seaside resort towns are Porto Cervo and Romazzino. Porto Cervo is often visited by some of the world's largest megayachts.

The liner was officially delivered by Meyer Turku to Costa Group on December 5, 2019.

Like most large-sized newbuilds, the Costa ship Smeralda is LNG-powered, with 4x Caterpillar Marine LNG engines (model MaK 16M-46DF) generating combined output 57,2 MW. The propulsion system is based on two Azimuting thrusters with combined power output 37 MW. The ship has 3 LNG tanks (cryogenic steel) with total capacity ~3200 m3. Two of the tanks are larger (length 35 m, diameter 8 m, LNG capacity 1525 m3), while the 3rd tank has length 28 m, diameter 5 m and capacity 520 m3. Smeralda's first LNG-bunkering (fueling) was conducted on December 18, 2019, in Port Barcelona.

The christening ceremony was held in Port Savona on February 22, 2020. The naming ceremony was led by Godmother Penelope Cruz Sanchez (1974-born Spanish actress and fashion model) and also attended by Michael Thamm (Costa Group's CEO), Neil Palomba (Costa Cruises' President), Paolo Benini (ship's Captain / Master) and Bruno Barbieri (Italian Michelin-star Chef). The special event continued with an acrobatic show (Viktor Klee production staged in the Colosseo Theatre) and ended with a fireworks show launched from a barge ship in front of Fortezza del Priamar (Fortress).

Inaugural cruise 2019 itineraries

The new cruise ship's delivery was delayed by 2 months (December instead of October), which resulted in several cancelled itineraries - from November 30 through December 20, 2019. The maiden voyage was rescheduled from October 20th to December 21st. The 7-day "Christmas cruise" (roundtrip from Savona) was priced from USD 950 pp.

Ship's Inaugural Cruise (maiden voyage) was scheduled for October 20, 2019 (15-day repositioning itinerary from Germany to Italy / Hamburg to Savona). The official (first available for booking) Inaugural cruise was departure November 8 - a 6-day itinerary roundtrip from Civitavecchia-Rome to Savona (Nov 9), Marseille (Nov 10), Barcelona (Nov 11) and Palma de Mallorca (Nov 12). Prices started from USD 590 pp (Inside cabin rates). Costa Smeralda has planned 7-day Western Mediterranean cruises through April 2020.

Next tables show ship's maiden voyages with prices per person (double-occupancy Interior Cabin rates).

15-day relocation Hamburg to Savona - from USD 2460 pp

5-day inaugural Mediterranean cruise roundtrip from Savona - from USD 810 pp

7-day Mediterranean cruise roundtrip from Savona - from USD 970 pp

Godspeed to the new ship!